State cuts make it harder to go to college in Illinois - ELIZABETH DONALD, News-Democrat

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville may be doing better than other universities in Illinois or the U.S., but it still faces budget challenges in the next few years. Overall, states are spending 28 percent less per student in higher education than they did five years ago, according to a study by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Every state except North Dakota and Wyoming has cut their spending on higher education. Of those, 36 states have cut by more than 20 percent, and 11 states by more than one-third. Illinois has cut its higher-education spending by 23.3 percent since 2008, which translates to roughly $1,425 less per student when adjusted for inflation. http://www.bnd.com/2013/03/28/2554930/cuts-squeeze-college-affordability.html